# NTSB ERA10CA185: Shaw Fisher FP 404, N6587V, Lillian, AL, March 22, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 22, 2010, 16:51 local (21:51 UTC) - Place: Lillian, AL - Coordinates: 30.441667, -87.463607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4417&lon=-87.4636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75564/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75564 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA185 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Shaw Robert E FISHER FP 404 EXP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=056168S), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Shaw Robert E FISHER FP 404 EXP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056168S), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Shaw Robert E FISHER FP 404 EXP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056168S), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Shaw Robert E FISHER FP 404 EXP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056168S), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Shaw Robert E FISHER FP 404 EXP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056168S), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Shaw Robert E FISHER FP 404 EXP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056168S), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The experimental, amateur-built airplane was equipped with a 48-horsepower engine. The pilot reported that he obtained weather information via television; however, he did not receive a weather briefing from a flight service station prior to the local flight. The pilot attempted to depart on runway 27; a 2,175-foot-long, 80-foot-wide, turf runway. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of approximately 50 mph, the wind pushed the airplane to the right and the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The wind then caused an increase in airspeed and the airplane became airborne. The airplane banked right and the pilot was unable to correct with left aileron and left rudder control input. The airplane subsequently impacted bushes and the fuselage separated. The recorded wind at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 33 knots. The peak wind was recorded from 230 degrees at 33 knots. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The experimental, amateur-built airplane was equipped with a 48-horsepower engine. The pilot reported that he obtained weather information via television; however, he did not receive a weather briefing from a flight service station prior to the local flight. The pilot attempted to depart on runway 27; a 2,175-foot-long, 80-foot-wide, turf runway. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of approximately 50 mph, the wind pushed the airplane to the right and the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The wind then caused an increase in airspeed and the airplane became airborne. The airplane banked right and the pilot was unable to correct with left aileron and left rudder control input. The airplane subsequently impacted bushes and the fuselage separated. The recorded wind at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 33 knots. The peak wind was recorded from 230 degrees at 33 knots. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6587V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6587V-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 71427, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Shaw FISHER FP 404 - Registry model: [Shaw Robert E FISHER FP 404 EXP](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaw-robert-e-fisher-fp-404-exp) (registry code 056168S) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 71427 - Airframe hours: 153 - Engines: Rotax 503 48 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Terry Tirrell - Registered owner: Terry Tirrell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2009, 53 hours before - Departed: AL55, Lillian, AL - Destination: AL55, Lillian, AL - Airport: AL55, Shields Airport, runway 27, 2,175 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 2, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 326 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots, gusting 33 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: PNS, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100322030179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100322030179A), Mar 22, 2010: Shaw Robert FISHER FP 4, Lillian, AL, Destroyed. Pilot on takeoff climb encountered a gust of wind and lost control of the aircraft. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75564. 204 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.